R.I. mayor Charles Moreau pleads guilty to corruption

(CBS/AP) PROVIDENCE, R.I. - The former mayor of Central Falls, R.I. has pleaded guilty to a federal corruption charge.

Charles Moreau was charged with taking gifts from a political supporter who got a lucrative city contract in the northern Rhode Island community, which recently emerged from bankruptcy.

Moreau pleaded guilty Monday in U.S. District Court in Providence under an agreement with prosecutors, then apologized to the people of Central Falls, and to his family and friends.

Michael Bouthillette, the contractor at the other end of the corruption trail, also pleaded guilty. He received a no-bid contract to board up houses in Central Falls and has acknowledged in court papers paying for part of a furnace and doing repair work on the Moreau's former homes.

Moreau resigned as mayor in September. He is scheduled to be sentenced in February.

Both men are expected to get prison time.